2015 Force Majeure Parvata

It's the first Saturday of the new month, which means it's Cellar Saturday, that glorious time when I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that hasn't been in my cellar very long, as I bought it earlier this year from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2015 Force Majeure Parvata is a Southern Rhone-style blend of Mourvèdre (46%), Syrah (34%) and Grenache (20%) from the Force Majeure Estate Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see if this wine is singing or if it's past its prime as some reviewers projected shortly after release.

The wine is a lovely, deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd like to see from such a blend.  The nose presents its own adventure with aromas of leather, blackberries and currant that jump to some smoked meat and dried herbs, then back to dark chocolate and hints of peppery spice.  The first sip is wildly decadent, with a rich velvety mouthfeel and flavors of ripe blackberry and plum up front, before an easing into some smoked duck and peppery spice, ahead of some earthy basalt at the finish.  The tannins are still right there, thick and chewy and playing their essential role in the long, smooth dry finish that lingers for what seems like ten minutes.

The experts were clearly wrong, as this wine is still singing well past their drinking window into 2023, and I would rate this wine a solid 9.5, as it's one of the best Southern Rhone-style blends I've had from Washington state.  This wine would pair well with a variety of soft cheese, rack of lamb or classic steak.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared New York strip over a bed of sautéed onions and mushrooms along with a big baked potato.  Cheers!

2021 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Sunday!  It was a stormy day here today, so I mostly stayed inside and did laundry and a few other chores around the house and now I'm ready for a nice dinner and a glass of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle from one of my long-time favorite Walla Walla producers, Seven Hills Winery.  The 2021 Seven Hills Founding Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from the old vines of the original Seven Hills Vineyard planted by founder Casey McClellan and his father back in the 1980s.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass with great clarity, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of sweet blackberry, currant, spice box and a hint of floral.  The first sip is a surprising rush of tawny earthiness, with notes of leather, peat and cedar, that easily transition to some notes of white pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are chewy and coat your mouth as you head for a delightfully long, dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a wonderful wine, but just not quite up to the level of the 2020 vintage.  This wine would pair well with a range of hearty dished, from classic grilled steaks to seared lamb chops, braised short ribs to wild mushroom risotto.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with an Angus ribeye grilled rare with grilled leeks and broccolini, along with a big baked potato with sour cream and chives.  Cheers!

2014 Arbor Bench Meritage

Happy Saturday, of note, the first Saturday of the new month, which means it Cellar Saturday!  This is the magical day where I raid the cellar for something at least a decade in the making.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that I bought a couple months ago from Wines Till Sold Out.  The 2014 Arbor Bench Meritage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (38%), Merlot (32%) and Malbec (30%) from the Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma.  Let's see how this wine is shaping up!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect with these three varietals.  A gentle swirl of the glass reveals aromas of blackberry, vanilla bean and dusty limestone with hints of violet undertones.  The first sip is rush of tart cherry that eases into some notes of blackberry jam, toasted oak and peppery spice midpalate.  The tannins are quote chewy, but still capable as the backbone for the lingering dry finish with a reprise of cherry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a wonderfully satisfying blend that will no doubt pair well with a variety of dishes.  This wine would pair well with hearty braised short ribs, spicy barbecue or classic steaks.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a pan seared ribcap topped with sunflower sprouts, along with some broccoli rabe and asparagus sautéed in garlic and olive oil and tossed with linguine.  Cheers!

2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine

Happy Friday!  I'm enjoying a long weekend, so a perfect time for finishing some yard work and enjoying a nice dinner and bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle that's been in my cellar for about a year, the 2020 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval Red Wine.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard, one of the most established vineyards in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington.  So, let's see what this wine is tasting like!

The wine is a deep brooding indigo with bright ruby along the edges, as you'd expect from a classic Bordeaux style blend.  A gentle swirl reveals aromas of leather, black cherry and hints of sage.  The first sip is a rush of ripe black fruit, cherry, currant and plum that ease into some notes of olive, white pepper and dried herbs midpalate.  The tannins are thick and chewy, providing for a wonderfully long, dry finish that seems to linger a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a delightful wine, though the fruit can seem a bit heavy at the outset.  This wine would pair well with a variety of hearty winter dishes, from pasta and casseroles, to chili and stews.  Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled ribeye, grilled leeks, parsley buttered potatoes, asparagus and hollandaise.  Cheers!

2020 Helix Columbia Valley Tempranillo

Happy Saturday!  Today was a bit of a relaxing day, though I may be the only one that finds running errands relaxing.  So, after the farmer's market, the supermarket and visiting with some friends, I am now back home and ready for a relaxing dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight, I've opened a bottle of a recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2020 Helix Columbia Valley Tempranillo.  This wine is a blend of Tempranillo (76%), Syrah (19%) and Malbec (5%) from the Stone Tree, Phinney Hill and Stone Valley Vineyards in the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington.  So, let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a beautiful deep ruby color in the glass, with nice clarity.  After a gentle swirl, you're greeted with all manner of fruit and funk, blackberry, chalk, vanilla bean, peat and dusty limestone with just a bit of twang at the end.  Take a sip and the funk evaporates like a distant memory as you are treated to all manner of blackberry, from fresh to jam to compote, before easing into some notes of pipe tobacco and a hint of dusty limestone midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, providing for a wonderfully full, velvety dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a pleasure to sip, but I just wish there was a bit more in the center.  This wine would pair well with a broad range of dishes, from classic risotto and pasta, to hearty stews and robust fish dishes.  Tonight I am taking a different tack, and enjoying this wine with a dinner that should not be paired, a wonderful pretzel crusted chicken with mashed potatoes, gravy and steamed asparagus.  Cheers!

2018 La Pruladière Lussac Saint-Émilion

Happy Thursday!  It's been a busy time lately, with a lot going on, especially last weekend but now things are opening up a bit in my schedule so I might actually have time to make a few posts.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Bordeaux that I recently purchased from Wines Till Sold Out, a new wine that I haven't heard of before.  The 2018 La Pruladière Lussac Saint-Émilion is a blend of Merlot (98.5%) and Cabernet Franc (1.5%) from Lussac Saint-Émilion which is to the north of the Saint-Émilion known for clay-limestone soils with moderate climate for grape growing.  So, let's see what this wine has to offer.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, as you might expect from a heavy Merlot dominance.  A swirl of the glass reveals aromas of leather, violet and oak with bright overtones of blackberry, blueberry and cherry.  A sip reveals ample fruit with a rush of blackberry and currant that transitions easily to some notes of tart cherry and rustic wood notes midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, providing for a smooth dry finish that should hold up well against the heartiest of meals.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, as it's just a pleasant, everyday drinking red, with a hearty appeal.  This wine was also a solid value at just $16, and would pair well with a variety of warm fall dishes, from braised short ribs to mushroom risotto.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip topped with some béarnaise along with steamed broccoli and a big baked potato topped with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2017 True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah

Well, anyone that knows me is well aware that I am a big fan of the Duke, John Wayne, which of course means that I could never pass up a wine with "True Grit" on the label.  So as I was browsing the wines at Costco this weekend I had to pick up a bottle of 2017 True Grit Reserve Petite Sirah from Parducci Wines.  This Mendocino County California wine represents what is truly interesting to me of the California wine scene outside of Napa - interesting varietals with interesting terroir!  So let's see what this wine has to offer!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, characteristic of a nice Petite Sirah (which as I always say, seems to be neither petite nor Syrah).  The nose presents a cascade of aromas, blackberry, cherry amid wild game notes that exude a sense of pioneering wonder.  The taste is an absolute rush of cool black fruit, blackberry, blueberry and plum that envelop the palate before transitioning to some notes of dark chocolate and while pepper spice midpalate.  The tannins are very chewy, providing nice backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers on the palate.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's just a pleasure to sip and would give any big Cabernet a run for it's money when it comes to food pairing.  This wine was also a terrific value at just under $14 at Costco (I think I might need to get some more!).  As for pairing, this wine practically begs for steak, but would also do well with hearty pastas, braised short ribs of hearty chili on a cold fall evening.  Tonight I can oblige with a rare grille petit Angus porterhouse with grilled leeks and asparagus.  Cheers!

2016 Helix Petit Verdot

Happy Saturday!  Certainly for many folks it's been a stressful week, with so much bad new floating around, so I'm making time for a nice dinner and a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle from the most recent wine club shipment from Reininger Winery, the 2016 Helix Petit Verdot.  This wine is an extremely limited production of just 70 cases, made from 100% Petit Verdot from the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Wahluke Slope AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is tasting!

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, just as you'd expect for the varietal.  The nose presents aromas of leather, oak and pipe tobacco intermingled with blackberries and cassis, leaving you with the impression of being in classic old library.  The taste is a rush of cherry, raspberry and pomegranate, with a good bit of acidity, but not overpowering.  The tannins are chewy providing a great base for the long, smooth and very dry finish that lingers for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a lovely example of a pure, but underappreciated varietal.  This wine will likely improve with some time in the cellar, but if you can't wait, it would be ideal with a broad variety of grilled meats, from steak and lamb to pork tenderloin.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with an Indian spiced veal loin chop grilled mid-rare, with some grilled asparagus and a loaded baked potato.  Cheers!

2011 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee

Well, it's been a chilly and rainy Saturday, a perfect sort of day to curl up on the couch for a nice nap.  Although I didn't nap today, I did find this to be a relaxing day and now it's time to open up a nice bottle of wine and enjoy dinner.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that's been sitting in the cellar for quite a while (not really sure why it was sitting there that long), the 2011 L'Ecole No. 41 Perigee.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Merlot (20%), Cabernet Franc (10%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (4%) from the Seven Hills Vineyard in the Walla Walla Valley.  This is one of my all time favorite Bordeaux style blends from Washington, so let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a deep inky indigo at the center with bright ruby along the edges.  The nose is an earthy mineral playground with aromas of dusty limestone, leather and basalt intermingled with ripe black fruit notes and a hint of mint over the top.  The taste is a subdued rush of cool black fruit, cherry, blackberry and plum that eases into some floral notes of lavender intermingled with cherry cola midpalate.  The tannins are chewy providing for a voluptuous and smooth finish that is dry as a bone, but which lingers on the palate for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's a thick, tannic wine that is ideal for cold rainy nights and easily enjoyed with a big steak.  This wine would pair well with steaks and chops, hearty stews, venison or rich pasta.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled New York strip along with a baked potato with sour cream and chives and some steamed broccoli.  Cheers!

2017 Stolen Horse Syrah

Happy Wine Wednesday!  This week has gone by fast, but at least there are often new wine club shipments to enjoy mid-week, as I am doing tonight.  I received two wines in my fall shipment from the Bledsoe Family Winery, the 2017 Flying B Cabernet Sauvignon and tonight's wine, the 2017 Stolen Horse Syrah.  This wine is made from Syrah (96%) co-fermented with Viognier (4%) from the Lefore and Kenny Hill Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this wine is shaping up.

The wine is a deep ruby color in the glass, a bit darker than you might expect from a Syrah.  The nose is chock full of sweet berry fruit, cherry, raspberry and marionberry with floral notes lingering over the top.  The taste is at first cool, with blueberry and cherry up front that gives way to some warm spice notes and earthy minerality that is characteristic of the Rocks District.  The tannins are chewy, creating some nice textural balance to the fruit and sets up perfectly for the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a bit of a departure from previous vintages, with a more pronounced expression of Rocks fruit.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, which shouldn't be a surprise as I find Syrah to be a very food friendly varietal.  I could easily enjoy this wine with steaks, chops, stews, salmon or pasta among other dishes, but tonight I am enjoying this wine with some barbecued beef ribs along with some oven roasted root vegetables and steamed baby Brussels sprouts.  Cheers!

2015 Double Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Tuesday!  It seems like we've just started and this has already been a busy week, so it's time to take a bit of a break with a nice glass of Washington wine.  I bought this particular wine a few weeks ago from Wines Till Sold Out and it's from a producer that I'm not as familiar with, the 2015 Double Canyon Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (77%), Merlot (14%), Malbec (6%) and Petit Verdot (3%) from the Double Canyon Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA of Washington.  So let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is a deep inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you might expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose is an interesting display of ripe black fruit, green grass, dried herbs and hints of lavender that portend a rather fruit forward wine.  The taste is a rather subdued affair, with a rush of ripe cherry, blackberry and plum that transitions to some notes of vanilla bean and pipe tobacco midpalate.  The fine grain tannins are a bit chewy, but provide a nice base for the long, dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a very drinkable Cabernet and a terrific value at just $20!  This wine would pair well with steak, and well, really it's just begging to be consumed with steak!  And it's a good thing too as tonight I am enjoying this wine with a bone-in Kansas City strip grilled rate with fire roasted hatch chiles and oven roasted root vegetables.  Cheers!

2013 Justin Isosceles

Happy Saturday!  I spent a good portion of the morning helping move and construct set pieces for the upcoming Elkhart Civic Theatre production of "The Music Man", but then I had the chance to relax a bit this afternoon and catch up on some errands and other projects.  After such an unremarkable day, I thought it would be good to head the other direction with a remarkable wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2013 Justin Isosceles, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (75%), Cabernet Franc (16%) and Merlot (9%) from Paso Robles that I find much more pleasing that about any wine from Napa.  So, let's see how this one is shaping up!

The wine is deep, inky black at the center with bright ruby along the edges, just as you'd expect from such a heavy Cabernet focused blend.  The nose is classic and rich, with notes of vanilla bean, smoke, leather and cedar that exudes quality.  The taste is a rush of cool fruit, black cherry, blackberry and plum that transitions effortlessly to some notes of green herb, mocha and dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, supporting a long, velvety finish with a reprise of black cherry at the end.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's just a wonderful wine that illustrates the quality potential from this region, yet it's eminently approachable.  This wine is begging to be paired with a big steak, or perhaps even some barbecued brisket.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime filet mignon on a bed of grilled garlic scapes, with some bacon roasted Brussels sprouts (is there a better combination of flavors?)
and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2016 Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Palm Sunday!  It's been rainy all day here and I'd planned on getting a bunch of work done around the yard, but alas it was not to be.  But I did get my laundry done and had time to open a bottle of wine for my dinner.  Tonight's wine is an interesting choice given the holidays coming up, the 2016 Barkan Cabernet Sauvignon from the Gallilee region of Israel.  Now, I've never tried an Israeli wine before, in fact I've never given the region much thought when it comes to wine, but I suppose they've been drinking it longer than even the French, after all Jesus turned water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana, so it make sense that the folks in Israel might know a bit about wine.  So let's see how this one tastes. 

The wine is a deep inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, just what you'd expect from a Cabernet.  The nose is an interesting combination of green grass, cedar, lavender and black cherry, not exactly what I was expecting but interesting nonetheless.  The taste is very fruit forward with a rush of blackberry, currant and tart cherry at the outset that transitions to some notes of dark chocolate midpalate.  The tannins are chewy, providing a nice base for a long, very dry finish that lingers on for a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8, it's not a spectacular wine, but it is a terrific value for an everyday drinking wine.  In fact, Wine Enthusiast ranked this wine #54 in their top 100 best buys of 2018 and I picked this one up at Costco last week for just $9!  This wine is versatile with food, and I could see this being a weeknight staple with anything from steaks to pasta to pizza or tacos.  Tonight I've set up a rather ironic pairing for an Israeli wine, as I'm enjoying this wine with some barbecued pork country ribs, mashed potatoes and baked beans.  It still feels like winter here and I'm anxious for a bit of summer on my plate tonight!  Cheers!

2014 Reininger Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!  It's been another insanely busy week but I feel like I'm finally able to keep my head above water.  I had a nice get together yesterday for the holidays and tonight I am just aiming to relax and maybe watch a movie and of course enjoy a nice glass of wine with dinner.  Tonight I've decided to open a bottle of wine I just picked up from the UPS office, from one of my favorite Walla Walla winemakers, Chuck Reininger!  The 2014 Reininger Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (87%), Cabernet Franc (5%), Petit Verdot (5%) and Malbec (3%) from the Pepper Bridge and XL Vineyards in the Walla Walla Valley.  So let's see how this wine will treat me and my Sunday dinner!

The wine is a deep inky purple at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, classic for a nice Cabernet.  The nose presents aromas of black currant, prune, dusty limestone, with a bit of cedar underneath.  The taste is more of an old world style cabernet, with a but of ripe black fruit at the outset, currant, plum and cherry that folds into some wonderful mineral notes of graphite and some tobacco midpalate.  The chewy tannins are a perfect foil to the multiple layers of fruit and minerality in this wine, setting up the wonderfully smooth, and lengthy dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's really a new favorite for the 2014 vintage of Cabernet from Walla Walla.  This wine would be perfect with steak or prime rib (might need to bring a bottle to Christmas dinner!) but tonight I am going old school Pacific Northwest, where it's perfectly acceptable to pair Cabernet with salmon, after all it is the steak of the sea!  In fact tonight I am enjoying this wine with some Coho salmon steaks, whole wheat couscous and some sugar snap peas.  Cheers!

2015 Sleight of Hands "The Psychedelic Syrah"

Happy Friday!  Hopefully you got all your black Friday mojo out of your system, I know I did and now it's time for a nice bottle of wine.  Tonight I've opened a bottle that I bought when I was visiting Walla Walla last Spring and had a chance to meet Trey Busch and the team at Sleight of Hands Cellars, the 2015 Psychedelic Syrah, from the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater, Oregon.  This wine is a 100% Syrah, from the Stoney Vine Vineyard, which is an ancient riverbed characterized by softball size rocks (which Trey is so proud to show off!).  This vintage follows the 2014 which was my 2017 wine of the year (see here), so it has some big shoes to fill, let's see how it tastes!

The wine is a wonderful garnet color in the glass with great clarity.  The nose is a wonderfully earthy cascade of olive tapenade, smoke, leather, earthy mineral notes overlaid with ripe black fruit, blackberry and currant with an undertone of mint.  The taste is a psychedelic combination of ripe black fruit, heavy earth tones, a hint of lavender and some green olive that just swirl in your mouth and in your mind.  The tannins are thick and chewy, enveloping your palate and setting the perfect stage for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, it's likely one of the best examples of Syrah I've enjoyed this year, and I think it's grown on me since i tasted it back in April, but I still prefer the 2014 vintage.  This wine would be ideal with a lot of hearty fall dishes from lamb chops and shepherds pie to mushroom risotto or prime rib, (even Turkey, though we're a day late and a buck short for that).  Tonight I am going a little off the beaten track, as I bought a nice piece or prime brisket at Costco and decided to slow roast it today and make brisket tacos for dinner.  The earthiness of the wine is a perfect accompaniment to the richness of the brisket.  Cheers!

2015 DaMa Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  It's been a while since I've posted on a Wednesday, so this is a treat.  And speaking of treats, tonight I have a bottle from my latest wine club shipment from DaMa Wines.  I am a big fan of Mary and the folks at DaMa, as they are just good people who make really good wines.  The 2015 Walla Walla Cabernet Sauvignon is a very limited production (68 cases) of 100% Cabernet from the Walla Walla AVA, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep, inky purple in the glass, classic Cabernet.  The nose is a lovely combination of earthy elements, green grass, ripe blackberry and cherry intermingled with some floral notes and a hint of leather.  The taste is a rush of big fruit, cherry cola, blackberry and plum that transitions to some notes of vanilla bean and mocha midpalate.  The chewy tannins provide a nice base for a finish that is long, well structured and exceptionally dry, ideal for sipping in front of a fire on a chilly fall evening.

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, as it's a lovely Walla Walla Cabernet, but could likely use a few years in the cellar before it really begins to shine.  This wine would be ideal with a variety of hearty dishes, from Italian sausage with onions and peppers to truffle mac and cheese to a seared tuna steak.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled prime filet mignon with some steamed asparagus and a big baked potato with sour cream and scallions.  Cheers!

2016 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

Happy Wine Wednesday!  Tonight I've opened a bottle of Cabernet that I recently picked up at Trader Joe's, a wine from a familiar producer that is getting into the latest hip trend, aging Cabernet Sauvignon in bourbon barrels!  The 2016 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from Mendocino County fruit, a portion of which is set aside to age in new and used bourbon barrels, to provide some of the same flavors of oak, vanilla and spice that makes people just love bourbon (I tasted another one I really liked back in June which you can see here).  Now, this could be a future wine club selection for my friends, so let's see how this one tastes.

The wine is a deep, inky purple color at the center, with bright garnet along the edges, just as you'd expect from a nice Cabernet.  The nose is a wonderful combination of oak, leather, vanilla, spice box and a hint of green grass that just makes me think of sitting in an old library.  The taste is refreshingly fruit forward, with notes of cherry, blackberry and cassis with intermingled hints of vanilla bean and oak.  Midpalate, we have some additional notes of caramel and mocha with just a hint of tobacco.  The chewy tannins provide the base for a long, smooth and very dry finish that seems to last until you take your next sip. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 8.5, I don't like it as much as the last bourbon barrel aged Cabernet I tried, but that one was a year older, so this one might develop a bit more over the next year.  The wine is also a solid value, as I found this one at Trader Joe's for about $15.  This wine would be outstanding just sipping over conversation with friends or family, or it could be great with a nice steak or barbecue.   Tonight, I am enjoying this wine with a rare frilled prime New York strip over a bed of grilled leeks, with some oven roasted fingerling potatoes and some grilled asparagus.  Cheers!

2014 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I just returned from the gym and am rewarding myself with a nice glass of wine and some dinner of course.  Tonight I've decided to dig into the cellar as I had a bottle of the 2015 vintage in the dining room, but realized I haven't yet tried the 2014 Seven Hills Ciel du Cheval red wine, so tonight is the night!  This is a wonderful Bordeaux style blend from fruit grown in the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard in the Red Mountain AVA.  The 2014 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (46%), Merlot (30%), Petit Verdot (17%) and Cabernet Franc (7%).  So let's see how this vintage tastes!

The wine is a deep, inky black color at the center with bright ruby along the edges, classic for a Cabernet-centric blend.  The nose is wonderfully layered combination of blackberry, white floral and earth that just expresses the vineyard.  The taste is complex and beautifully structured, with layer upon layer of flavor building up to a crescendo, ripe blackberry and plum build into notes of dark chocolate and tobacco which layer on top of earthy notes of dusty limestone and oak.  The chewy tannins provide the perfect backbone for the long, lush and very dry finish that seems to last a minute or more.

Overall, I would rate this wine an easy 9, as it surpasses the 2013 vintage, and is arguably my favorite since the 2009 and 2010 vintages.  This wine would be perfect with nice big steaks, chops, roasts, hearty Italian dishes or wonderful wild salmon.  Tonight I am enjoying this wine with a rare grilled Angus New York strip on a bed of baby arugula along with some fresh grilled local corn on the cob.  Cheers!

2014 Justin Isosceles

Ahh, Sunday fun day, but not much for me as I was working in the yard for much of it, trimming some tree branches and working on the roof over my screened in porch.  Of course, with the recent heat we've been having, after working in it I am ready to relax!  So tonight I've opened a bottle of wine that I first tried a few years ago when I was on the Napa Valley Wine Train, and I finally opened one of the bottles I've accumulated since that trip, the 2014 Justin Isosceles.  This wine has been the signature wine for Justin since 1987 and it's made of a blend of three varietals, and for the 2014 vintage it was Cabernet Sauvignon (73%), Cabernet Franc (15%) and Merlot (12%) all from Paso Robles.  So let's see how this one stacks up!

The wine has a wonderful, inky dark center with bright garnet along the edges.  The nose is a classically layered blend of ripe black cherry, black currant and leather with a hint of spice box at the back.  The taste is a rush of cool, ripe fruit up front, that's at first a bit sweet and then tart, which transitions nicely to some notes of vanilla, cedar and graphite midpalate, with a hint of black pepper spice at the end.  The tannins are chewy, giving nice backbone for the long, smooth and very dry finish. 

Overall, I would rate this wine a solid 9, as it's really everything a blend of these three varietals should be, with a big presence and lot's of bold flavor.  Although this wine is a little pricey (I bought this bottle at Costco for about $60), I think it's well worth it for Sunday dinner or any special occasion.  This wine would pair well with a variety of dishes, but it practically begs to be paired with a big ol' steak, so tonight I am enjoying this wine with a big tomahawk ribeye, grilled Pittsburgh rare with some mashed potatoes and haricots verts almondine.  Cheers!

2014 V. Sattui Napa Valley Malbec

Happy Wine Wednesday!  I have to admit, tonight I'm merging Wine Wednesday with Taco Tuesday based on my dinner.  So since the cat's out of the bag, what would be a good wine to enjoy with tacos?  How about a nice Malbec?  Tonight I've opened a bottle of 2014 V. Sattui Napa Valley Malbec that I brought back with me from my last trip to Napa, so let's see how this one tastes!

The wine is a deep, inky black at the center, with bright ruby along the edges, typical of a Malbec.  The nose is somewhat subdued with notes of prune, cassis, and floral notes of violets.  The taste is a rush of ripe black fruit up front that transitions to some earthy notes of dusty limestone overlaid with smoke.  The chewy tannins make a nice foundation for the long, smooth and very dry finish.

I have to admit, this wine is somewhat more domesticated that the typical Argentine Malbec, but it's quite pleasant.  So, I'd rate this one a solid 8.  It would pair well with steak, chili, tacos or pizza quite well, and tonight I'm enjoying this wine with some wonderful chipotle steak tacos, topped with a sriracha taco sauce, sour cream and avocado.  Cheers!